Skint

20p - What a rip off! It's previously been free (my favourite price) with SSM coupons (max 2 coupons per laptop/PC, so create as many accounts as you have devices to print 2 from each). http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3213370 and http://www.hotukdeals.com/freebies/...-up-liquid-650ml-sainsburys-50p-tescos-932557

Never buy anything without checking HUKD. Even if all the deals have expired it'll give you a good idea of what price you might expect to get something for when another good deal comes up. If you're going shopping check for deals in the stores you're visiting.

Another useful site is 3 camels http://uk.camelcamelcamel.com/ Check out Amazon price histories and set up email alerts so next time there's a one day special offer you don't miss out. It's amazing just how much prices fluctuate.

 

i can knit blankets etc and sew but i dont make clothes anymore its cheapwe to buy them

 

What about your household cleansers, soap, washing powder/liquid, fabric softeners, shampoo, etc? If you make them yourself they save a fair bit of money (they cost pennies to make large batches) without all the nasty chemicals, they are kinder to the environment and your skin and you can make them smell any way you want them to.
Do you use your freezer to full efficiency? Do you freeze meals, homemade soups and ingredients?
Also, knitted blankets are selling quite well at the moment so knock a few out and sell them.
Just a few thoughts for you.

 

We've had our share of Tesco's stuff reduced to only 1p, but if I'd seen these then I would have bought the lot (the title is wrong, they were 1p each) http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/tesco-kingsize-fitted-sheet-1-store-1845159 not to sell on/car boot, but to use as frost protection.



The free Oekter pizzas are proving difficult to find in any quantity (not surprised) but Waitrose give the cost of them back, plus if using a myWaitrose card you get 25p off the cost of your other shopping as 10% off frozen food when using card.

 

So: @clueless1 here we are, one month into your thread, and questions now need to be asked.

1) are you finding any headway into your skint regime?
2) have you found any posts particularly helpful?
3) what changes (if any) have you made to advance you from skint to survival mode?
4) are you actively doing anything differently?
5) have you managed to skim down your spending!?

Just asking

 

Well, I think my first proper attempt at this saving lark has gone quite well.

In a month, we'll typically get through about £400 on groceries.

This month, I reckon I've got a month's worth of food, much of it in the freezer, for the grand total of £85.

Ok, so there'll be costs such as bread and milk throughout the month, but even allowing £50 for that, which is a more than generous over-estimate, that's still only £135. Less than half what I'd normally spend.

I celebrated by buying a secret treat for my oldest son and I to share. It was only £11 ish. They don't look like much, but one of the lads brought one into work, and shot me in the head with it from across the room. You definitely feel it

 

Reduced bread is good freezer filler. De-frosted frozen milk is only fit for cooking.

Spending some of the money you've saved on treats is essential, to make it all worthwhile.

 

Did u have stuff in your freezer already?
I recon a tennee for perishables and at least a tenner for baby milk and nappies a week so that would be £80 at least?
Are u going to count all little tris to local shops because I fear it will mount up. Your better off buying as much as you can to begin with. I'm only mentioning it as it's a prob I have. By the time u add Chocs and treats like wine it might add up to more than you think your actually spending.

 

Btw I don't drink lol and things like calpol for the children. I find the asda equivalent very good would be very interested in seeing your shopping list? Just delete any personal items if u like

 

Lea I use lush soap etc for myself and my daughter. They do not test on animals and although expensive last a long time. I boycott tescos because of their treatment of tortoises they sell for food in china. But that's just my personal choice. I also always buy free range eggs and local meat I really don't care about the cost I eat very little meat anyways now as it makes me sick

 

Baby milk and nappies are in a different section of my budget

I'm getting proper organised for a change. So baby essentials are kept seperate, as there is no room to scrimp there. That said, the youngest lad is moving onto proper food now, so instead of jars of baby food (at anything upwards of 50p a piece), we're getting him on easy stuff like bananas and porridge and such, so a bit of saving there without compromising anyone's health.

 

Well done on your savings!! Impressive.

Works for drinks, just make sure you give it a good shakey-shake to mix up the fattier part of the milk with the more watery part as its defrosting (or soon after!)

Never fed any of mine on jars of baby food. Instead, I would introduce one food at a time and it would be real food. For example, pureed apple/pear. Initially, you only introduce a teaspoonful, so, the rest of the puree was decanted into ice cube trays and frozen. Once frozen solid, emptied into a freezer bag freeing up the ice cube try for some other 'delight' baby-style. The same with:

• pureed vegetables
• mashed potato
• rice pudding
• mashed boiled egg yolks (thinned with a bit of baby milk)
• soups
• then introduce combo's of two
• then combo's of three, etc.

The main problem with baby food is, that you need to make it without adding salt/sugars. Bland, but very healthy for baby.

Once they get on the lumpy stuff you can become more imaginative but, essentially, just blitz in a food processor a teeny portion of what *you* are having (less salts/sugars) for your meal (once each item has been introduced individually: that way you catch any allergies early and your youngest son gets to know each food)

Keep it up, sounds like you really getting into it